Final year high school students in eight local COVID-19 hotspots in Sydney will be prioritised for Pfizer jabs, with supplies of the vaccine being redirected from the bush.

The plan, which was announced by NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian and backed by her National Party deputy, John Barilaro, could see thousands of students vaccinated before the August 16 return to classrooms for year 12 students and their teachers.